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Claremont McKenna College

Private Nonprofit Graduate Strong 83/100

Claremont McKenna College

See admissions data, costs, student outcomes, and academic programs, all verified from official US government sources.

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Claremont, California

About Claremont McKenna College

Claremont McKenna College is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Claremont, California. It enrolls 1,388 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.

Official website: cmc.edu

Acceptance: 9.6%
Graduation: 89.1%
Net Price: $28,849
Median Earnings (10yr): $104,736
Enrollment: 1,388
Student : Faculty: 8:1

Accreditor Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Academic Calendar Semester

How It Measures Up

US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.

Strong

83/100

UCD Score · 4-Year Selective

Outcomes 97

Value 78

Affordability 16

Selectivity 98

Admissions & Acceptance Rate

With an acceptance rate of 9.6%, Claremont McKenna College is among the most selective colleges in the country.

Acceptance Rate

9.6%

Highly Selective

SAT Range (25th–75th)

1470 – 1560

Reading + Math combined

ACT Range (25th–75th)

33 – 35

Cumulative composite

Test Policy Not Considered Standardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.

5-Year Admission Trend

Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Claremont McKenna College is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.

Stable ↑ 0.8 pts since 2019

Cost & Financial Aid

The real cost of attending Claremont McKenna College isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $28,849 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.

Average Net Price

$28,849

Per year, after typical aid

Receive Pell Grants

18%

Need-based federal aid

Receive Federal Loans

21%

Borrowing to attend

Full Cost Breakdown

Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.

Tuition & Fees: $67,980
Room & Board (on-campus): $20,830
Room & Board (off-campus): $20,830
Books & Supplies: $1,200
Other Expenses (on-campus): $1,500
Other Expenses (off-campus): $1,500
Total Cost of Attendance: $86,500

Application fee: $70 (one-time, due at submission)

Net Price by Family Income

Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.

Under $30,000

$15,308
$30,001 – $48,000

$7,360
$48,001 – $75,000

$16,389
$75,001 – $110,000

$19,325
Over $110,000

$52,295

Debt at Graduation

Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.

$3,750

10% percentile

$5,500

25% percentile

$13,500

Median percentile

$19,827

75% percentile

$26,198

90% percentile

Median Debt by Student Type

Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.

GroupDebtvs Median

Pell recipients $10,281 ↓ $3,219

No Pell $12,000 ↓ $1,500

Female students $12,000 ↓ $1,500

Male students $11,500 ↓ $2,000

Worth knowing: Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $6,500, less than completers ($13,500), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.

Graduation Rate & Retention

89% of full-time students who enrolled at Claremont McKenna College graduate within six years, and 97% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

6-Year Graduation Rate

89%

Of students who graduate within six years

First-Year Retention

97%

Returning for their second year

What this means: Strong completion signals. Most students who start, finish.

After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes

According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Claremont McKenna College earn a median of $104,736 ten years after first enrolling. That's well above the national median for U.S. colleges.

Median Earnings (10 yrs)

$104,736

Earning > $25K

90%

10 yrs after entry

Earnings Growth After Graduation

Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.

Earnings by Demographic

Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.

By Gender

Female graduates

$80,700

Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.

Male graduates

$104,600

Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.

The gender gap: Male graduates earn $23,900, about 23% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.

What this means: Solid return on investment. Every dollar of net annual cost is matched by ~$3.6 of median earnings 10 years out.

Who Studies Here

Claremont McKenna College is home to 1,388 students, a small, close-knit community.

Total Enrolled

1,388

Part-Time

First-Generation

—

Race & Ethnicity Breakdown

Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.

GroupShareStudents

White 35.7% 496

Asian 17.1% 237

Hispanic 14.8% 206

International 14.8% 206

Other 8.8% 122

Black 4.1% 57

Student Life & Campus Culture

Where students live, learn, and connect at Claremont McKenna College. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.

Setting

Large Suburb Claremont, California

Housing

Strongly residential 1,244 beds for 1,388 students

Adult Learners

0% of students are 25 or older

Athletics

NCAA athletic-conference member

Academic Calendar

Semester scheduling structure

What You Can Study

Claremont McKenna College offers a varied set of programs: 33 distinct programs across 18 majors. Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings. Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.

4 Programs

Interdisciplinary Studies

Systems Science and Theory $88K ($56K–$135K)
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies $56K ($40K–$72K)
Human Biology $65K ($42K–$98K)

3 Programs

Biology

Biology $57K ($39K–$79K)
Neurobiology $62K ($41K–$89K)
Biochemistry & Biophysics $65K ($45K–$88K)

2 Programs

Philosophy & Religion

Philosophy $54K ($35K–$78K)
Religion/Religious Studies $41K ($21K–$65K)

2 Programs

Business

Finance $83K ($61K–$112K)
Accounting $76K ($56K–$97K)

1 Program

History

History $51K ($36K–$67K)

1 Program

Natural Resources

Natural Resources Conservation and Research $55K ($39K–$73K)

1 Program

Communication

Communication & Media $56K ($40K–$76K)

View all majors View all programs

Faculty & Resources

The student-to-faculty ratio at Claremont McKenna College is 8:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).

Student : Faculty

8:1

Students per instructional faculty member

Endowment

$1.8B

Strong financial cushion supports aid and stability

Avg Faculty Salary

$145,898

9-month equivalent across all ranks

Faculty by Rank

186 instructional faculty across 3 ranks. The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.

Rank	Faculty Count	Share	Avg Salary
Full Professors	76	41%	$185,215
Associate Professors	61	33%	$137,985
Assistant Professors	49	26%	$94,767

Pros & Cons of Claremont McKenna College

A quick at-a-glance summary of how Claremont McKenna College tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.

PROS

Highly selective, strong peer cohort
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Tight-knit, close community feel
Strong six-year graduation rate
Strong first-year retention
Above-average post-graduation earnings

CONS

Above-average net price
Highly competitive admissions, many strong applicants are rejected
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Very high published cost of attendance (full-pay families pay much more than the net-price average)
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families

Best for: Based on the data, Claremont McKenna College is a fit for students prioritizing post-graduation earnings; students seeking a highly selective peer group; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.

Frequently Asked Questions about Claremont McKenna College

Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Claremont McKenna College.

Is Claremont McKenna College hard to get into?

Yes. Claremont McKenna College is among the most selective colleges in the United States, with an acceptance rate of 9.6%. Successful applicants typically have top-decile test scores and strong academic, extracurricular, and recommendation profiles.

What is the acceptance rate at Claremont McKenna College?

Claremont McKenna College has an acceptance rate of 9.6%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.

What SAT score do you need for Claremont McKenna College?

The middle 50% of admitted students at Claremont McKenna College scored between 1470 and 1560 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.

What ACT score do you need for Claremont McKenna College?

The middle 50% of admitted students at Claremont McKenna College scored between 33 and 35 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.

How much does Claremont McKenna College cost?

The average net price after aid at Claremont McKenna College is $28,849 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.

Is Claremont McKenna College worth it?

Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $104,736 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $28,849 per year. That's roughly 3.6x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.

What is Claremont McKenna College known for?

Claremont McKenna College is best known for its programs in Economics, Experimental Psychology, Political Science. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

What do Claremont McKenna College graduates earn?

Median earnings 10 years after entering Claremont McKenna College are $104,736, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.

Is Claremont McKenna College accredited?

Yes. Claremont McKenna College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.

How many students attend Claremont McKenna College?

Claremont McKenna College enrolls 1,388 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.

What is the graduation rate at Claremont McKenna College?

Claremont McKenna College graduates 89% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

Is Claremont McKenna College a public or private college?

Claremont McKenna College is a Private Nonprofit institution.

Where is Claremont McKenna College located?

Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, California.

What programs does Claremont McKenna College offer?

Claremont McKenna College offers 33 distinct programs. The most popular include Economics, Experimental Psychology, Political Science.

What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Claremont McKenna College?

The student-to-faculty ratio at Claremont McKenna College is 8:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.